Jasper County Non-Compliant Jail Report

Jail Name

Jasper County  

Report Date

04/20/2018 

Number of days

unknown 

Inspector

Jackie Benningfield and William Phariss 

Original Report

Download Non-Compliant Report

Notes and Summary

• On the day of inspection, the inspectors witnessed the jail staff simultaneously left the sally port door, the exterior door of the kitchen leading into the sally port and the interior kitchen dry food storage door all open at the same time. The facility failed to meet security measures required by minimum jail standards.
• The generator inside the sally port that powers the “old side” of the facility was unable to automatically operate once the main power source was disabled. The generator also failed to operate in manual mode.
• While testing the generators under emergency power, it was determined that the facility control was left without power. As a result, the intercoms for audible communication systems and their computer generated security/control systems were inoperable.
• A review of the generator log revealed that a monthly load test was not being performed as required by minimum standards. Documentation revealed that a load test had not been performed from October 2017 through March 2018.
• While reviewing inmate files, it was discovered that staff are not separating requests for medical services from the inmate file.
• Upon review of inmate files, it was determined staff are not documenting whether or not an inmate has property when being processed as a contract inmate. Neither the jailers nor the inmates are signing any of the property receipts as the property is taken for those inmates housed from another county.
• While reviewing jailer licenses and training records, it was determined that the majority of the jail staff have not received the required four (4) hours of objective jail classification training as required.
• The jail staff are not notifying the magistrate within 12 hours as required by Article 16.22 of the Code of Criminal Procedures. It was also determined that the jail staff are not completing the mental health/suicide screening form, in its entirety. The jail supervisors are not signing the bottom of the form in the supervisor section of the form as required.
• A review of the fifteen (15) minute suicide observation logs and thirty (30) minute faceto-face observation logs revealed that jail staff are routinely exceed the 15 and 30 minute rounds by as few as 1 minute up to minutes which is a direct violation of minimum jail standards.
• While in the kitchen, the inspectors found four (4) cans of smokeless tobacco and a cork screw/wine bottle opener left unsecured in a desk drawer. The inmate workers have direct access to the unsecured desk. The inspectors also found evidence of smokeless tobacco inside one of the trusty cells. This confirms that regular and irregular searches are not being conducted.
• Through staff and inmate interviews, it was revealed that inmates are not receiving cleaning supplies daily. This is a direct violation of their approved sanitation plan.
• The inspectors observed several inoperable lights, missing security screws, loose door plates and low water pressure throughout the entire facility. These issues need immediate attention.
• Upon arrival to the facility, the inspectors gained access to the kitchen through unsecured security doors. While in the kitchen, the inspectors observed inmate workers cooking food for lunch and there was no jail staff present for direct supervision.

Violation Types

• Admission - Chapter 265: Admission
• Classification And Separation Of Inmates - Chapter 271: Classification and Separation of Inmates
• Food Service - Chapter 281: Food Service
• Health Services - Chapter 273: Health Services
• Life Safety Rules
• New Construction Rules
• Sanitation
• Supervision Of Inmates - Chapter 275.1

Jasper County Non-compliant Jail Reports